NCT07471724

Skin-to-Skin Contact, Cheek Contact and Episiotomy Pain Control

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT, CHEEK CONTACT AND ROUTINE CARE ON PAIN CONTROL FOLLOWING EPISIOTOMY REPAIR: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 155 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ege University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of skin-to-skin contact and kangaroo care on pain control during and after episiotomy repair following vaginal birth. The study was conducted at Izmir Bakircay University Cigli Regional Training and Research Hospital and included 155 healthy women who had spontaneous vaginal birth and healthy newborns. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: kangaroo care (n=50), cheek-to-cheek contact (n=50), and standard postpartum care (n=55). Pain levels were assessed after episiotomy repair and at the 6th and 12th hours postpartum using the Verbal Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included breastfeeding frequency and maternal satisfaction. The results indicate that kangaroo care and cheek-to-cheek contact may reduce postpartum episiotomy pain and improve breastfeeding outcomes, supporting their integration into routine maternity care.

Detailed description

This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted at Izmir Bakircay University Cigli Regional Training and Research Hospital in Türkiye. A total of 155 healthy women who had spontaneous vaginal birth at term (≥37 weeks) and their healthy newborns were included. Eligible participants were aged 18 years and older, had no medical complications, and had newborns with Apgar scores ≥7 at 1 and 5 minutes. Participants were recruited during active labour and randomly assigned to three groups: kangaroo care group (skin-to-skin contact, n=50), cheek-to-cheek contact group (n=50), and control group receiving standard postpartum care (n=55). Randomization was performed using a computer-generated random number sequence, with allocation concealed in sealed, opaque envelopes. The kangaroo care group received immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and newborn. The cheek-to-cheek contact group received structured cheek-to-cheek contact. The control group received routine postpartum care according to hospital protocols. Primary outcomes included pain levels assessed after episiotomy repair and at the 6th and 12th hours postpartum using the Verbal Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included breastfeeding frequency, amount of local anesthesia used, and maternal satisfaction. Data were collected using structured questionnaires on sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. All participants provided written informed consent prior to participation. The study was approved by the Izmir Bakircay University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Conditions

• Postpartum Pain
• Episiotomy Pain
• Postpartum Care

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Skin-to-Skin Contact	Immediately after vaginal birth and during episiotomy repair, the newborn was placed prone on the mother's bare chest to provide continuous skin-to-skin contact. The infant was positioned in an upright and safe posture and covered with a blanket when necessary. The intervention was maintained according to the study protocol and supervised by trained midwives.
BEHAVIORAL	Cheek-to-Cheek Contact	During and after episiotomy repair, structured cheek-to-cheek contact was established between the mother and the newborn. The infant's cheek was gently placed in contact with the mother's cheek in a comfortable position. The procedure was applied according to standardized instructions and supervised by trained staff.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-04-01
• Primary completion: 2024-11-20
• Completion: 2024-11-25
• First posted: 2026-03-13
• Last updated: 2026-03-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)